Anglo-Norman Bronze Dragon Head Finial

MID-12TH CENTURY A.D.

1 7/8 in. (37.8 grams, 48 mm).

Formed with an arched D-section neck and triangular base, row of dorsal spines, pricked ears with notched rims, scooped muzzle with knop finial, open mouth with protruding tongue and teeth.

Provenance

‘The Ancient Menagerie Collection’ formerly the property of a Cambridgeshire lady, collected since the 1990s and acquired from auctions and dealers throughout Europe and the USA, now ex London collection.

This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.203519.

Literature

Cf. figure of a dragon attacking a knight in the decorated initial of Flavius Josephus's Jewish Antiquities, reproduced in Zarnecki, G., Holt, J. & Holland, T., English Romanesque Art 1066-1200, London, 1984, p.52; figures on the base of the Gloucester candlestick, p.247, same volume.

CONDITION

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LOT 0155